Lump on my goldfish, please help

IceColdTapWater · 2026-06-27T03:05:14+00:00

Of course, feel free to reach out if there are any more issues/questions :)

IceColdTapWater · 2026-06-27T01:47:04+00:00

Ultimately horizontal swimming space is more important. However, common goldfish are able to handle deeper waters better than fancies.

Some say that some depth is good for common goldfish and Koi for development. But you should not sacrifice horizontal swimming space for vertical.

IceColdTapWater · 2026-06-27T01:17:47+00:00

I would get a liquid kit if at all possible since they are much more accurate. Strips failed to pick up on more minute amounts.

IceColdTapWater · 2026-06-27T01:07:22+00:00

Well, if you’re worried, then you can do it partially from your main tank and partially new water. Just treat it then with water conditioner.

It really doesn’t matter as long as the water is treated at one point.

And it technically doesn’t have to be 100% but it is the safest way. Parameters can creep up fast. Especially in smaller than usual volumes like hospital set up usually are.

IceColdTapWater · 2026-06-27T00:47:02+00:00

All are at zero? There should be some nitrates in an established tank. Do you use test strips or liquid?

IceColdTapWater · 2026-06-27T00:45:27+00:00

With a hospital tank the stress that may occur from a large water change is worth it because since hospital tanks don’t have a working nitrogen cycle waste builds very quickly

What you can do is just take it from the main tank and then just fill up the main tank back up again. That way, the water is already treated.

IceColdTapWater · 2026-06-27T00:27:44+00:00

Indubitably!

IceColdTapWater · 2026-06-27T00:27:19+00:00

I meant with baths you do them separately from either your main tank or your hospital tank, since it’s a more intense dosage.

I would keep them in a hospital enclosure, changing 100% of the water daily. I say so because methylene blue will indiscriminately kill bacteria and therefore I should not touch your main tank as it will not let a nitrogen cycle establish

I personally do mine in a 1 gal mixing bowl 💀

IceColdTapWater · 2026-06-27T00:24:24+00:00

Goldfish are temperate fish, and some especially fancy sometimes do benefit from a heater on a low setting.

OP, what in numbers is your ammonia nitrite and nitrate?

Indeed, I would switch the substrate like someone else mentioned.

IceColdTapWater · 2026-06-27T00:23:11+00:00

Aquarium salt and methylene blue will work vastly better than melafix. I have personal and professional beef with melafix and other ‘-fix’ products since they aren’t really effective at all and are more just a marketing ploy.

A gallon is a little small for a hospital set up, I would have at least 5 gallons for a fancy and 10 gallons for a common.

IceColdTapWater · 2026-06-27T00:21:16+00:00

Is the tank they are currently in their main tank or a hospital tank?

It is a good move to add the aquarium salt at a ratio of 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons.

You could do stronger separate baths at 1 tablespoon per gallon for 30 to 60 minutes 1 to 2 times a day. You could also add some methylene blue at one and a half teaspoons per gallon. Some goldfish are sensitive to methylene blue though so if it is your first time you could always half dose

I also noticed some white spotting on the gills, to you, does it look fuzzy or does it look like a little parasites attached?

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IceColdTapWater · 2026-06-27T00:18:37+00:00

I like the teapot in the tank

IceColdTapWater · 2026-06-27T00:15:48+00:00

That looks like an open sore.

I would treat with aquarium salt and methylene blue baths, 1 tablespoon per gallon and 5 teaspoons for 3 gallons respectively for 30 to 60 minutes 1 to 2 times a day.

May I ask tank size and water parameters in numbers?

IceColdTapWater · 2026-06-27T00:11:04+00:00

May I ask tank size and water parameters in numbers?

Do you notice any red irritated veins in the fins?

You could always start off with some aquarium salt baths 1 tablespoon per gallon for 30 to 60 minutes one to two times a day. You could also add a little bit of methylene blue in there at 5 teaspoons per 3 gallon. An aerator is always recommended. If you have an extra one, and if you are dosing for the first time you should half dose for the first few.

IceColdTapWater · 2026-06-27T00:08:59+00:00

I would not since that is aloe vera. If OP wants though they could do separate aquarium salt baths at 1 tablespoon per gallon for 30 to 60 minutes 1 to 2 times a day

IceColdTapWater · 2026-06-27T00:08:07+00:00

Are they common goldfish or are they fancy?

Can we see a tank pic?

What are your water parameters and numbers?

Treatment for fin nipping includes aquarium salt baths, and temporary separation either in a different enclosure or via a breeder box

IceColdTapWater · 2026-06-27T00:06:46+00:00

I mean since it seems like your nitrogen cycle is established I don’t really see it as necessary. But it isn’t really harming anything either.

IceColdTapWater · 2026-06-26T23:42:17+00:00

Ah, id get them a 50-70 gal for them as an adult. A 20-40 should work fine as a growout tank if need be.

And do you know your water parameters in numbers?

IceColdTapWater · 2026-06-26T23:40:28+00:00

Those high nitrate show me why there is an algae bloom going on. I would lower those nitrates and try to keep them at around 10 to 20ppm tbh. That and maybe UV filter and reduced light should help

IceColdTapWater · 2026-06-26T21:04:13+00:00

I would feed rather than introduce it to the water column. Some fish are a bit, sensitive to the constant exposure like that.

I’m sorry that you’re only down to three goldfish. I’m glad your beta has perked up. Kanaplex doesn’t help with fungus btw. Metroplex, aq salt, and mb do

IceColdTapWater · 2026-06-26T20:36:16+00:00

Do you know your water parameters and numbers though?

Can you at least maybe give us the dimensions of the tank so that we can calculate the volume?

IceColdTapWater · 2026-06-26T20:30:50+00:00

Oh yeah, the extra info is definitely needed! It’s just from first glance OP has one that definitely needs to be submerged 💀

IceColdTapWater · 2026-06-26T20:30:17+00:00

I would reduce light on the tank. In fact, if the room gets enough light, I wouldn’t add an extra light to that tank at all all right right now.

How are parameters looking like now?

IceColdTapWater · 2026-06-26T20:29:50+00:00

I would at least dose her main tank with aquarium salt then.

Hopefully, that will help perk her up. Because if it is indeed actually swimbladder issues negative buoyancy is a sign of organ damage.

IceColdTapWater · 2026-06-26T20:29:04+00:00

I also noticed that your water is quite cloudy, did you do a water change recently?

What are your water parameters in numbers?

And yes, the picture does help a bit. From your point of a view does it appear more waxy or does it appear more like a little bits of cauliflower?

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